Box



May 2, 1939. c. A. sToPPER Box Filed March 51, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 2 Inventor, Mw-Sw, 2y ns anar/rey,

Patented ay 2, 1939 u trap STATES BOX (Charles A. Stopper, Philadelphia., Pa., assigner to Diamond Paper and Box Company, a copartnership, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 31, 1937, Serial No. 133,986 5 claims. (or. 2294-33) This invention relates to boxes made from sheet material, including cardboard. More particularly, this invention relates to cardboard boxes, having in each case, a handle integrally 5 made, as part of the box blank, and afterward folded, to project from the box top.

A cardboard box made up from a blank, which includes handle members passing up through a slot in the top of thebox to form the handle proper, affords a convenient and handy carrier, but such a box will be found weak and unreliable in use, as itis apt to break at the slotted portion, when least expected. It is therefore the main object of my invention to providea box construcbesides handle portions, reinforcing members, which, when folded and vfashioned in a certain way, will present a reinforcement of material across the slot through which the handle projects, and thus strengthen the box at that point, so as to insure having a boxthat can be relied upon to remain intact and not tear out at the handle connection, when in practical use, particularly when carrying a heavy article.

A further object is to provide, in the forma- .tion of the blank for the box, a clasping member for releasably holding the completed box body closed, having this clasping member symmetrically positioned relative to the handle and reinforcing members of the blank. y

Another object is to provide such a construction of cardboard box as will, while fulfilling the above-named objects, be neat in appearance, and will lend itself as an article of manufacture in the making, to the usual equipment and methods used in making cardboard boxes of the class described.

With these and other objects, which will herev inafter appear, my invention resides in certain l construction of box, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawings, is hereinafter described, the manner of Afabricating the box is explained, and what I claim is set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a completed and closed box, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan of a cut-out blank for making up the box which is shown inr Figure 1. ,30 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partly made up box from the blankshown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fragment of box, showing the formation of one ofthe lower corners. f 55 Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fragment of tion made from a blank form, which includes,

box, showing the formation of one of the upper corners.

Figure 6 is a plan of the box, when only partlyv made up from the blank, to have the sides and top ends folded over, in flat formation.

Figures 7, 9, 11 and 13, are perspective views of that fragment of the box which includes the handle and its connections, showing the various forms taken during successive steps in making up the projecting handle.

Figures 8, l0, 12 and 14 are sections respectively, of Figures 7, 9, l1 and 13, taken on the' respective lines @-8, lil-I0, |2--l2 and I4--l4, of these Figures 7, 9, l1 and 13. f

In the figures, referring first to Figure 2, a. cutout blank i is shown having t`wo large portions it and li, which become respectively, the base and the cover sides of the box, when completed. le and i3 are narrow wall portions, next Ato the base portion i6, and are adapted to be turned up at right-angles thereto, on the respective lines 2d and 2l. The narrow portions 22 and 23, when turned up along the respective lines 24 and 25, form the end walls of the cover of the box. The narrow portion 26, between the score lines 2l, forms the narrow bottom wall of the box. The end wall 23 to the base side I6 of the box, when formed up, is bent on the score line 29. The tongues 3d, are each bent in the same direction at both a score or bending line 3|,and a diagonal bending line 32, for a purpose hereinafter, referred to. The end wall 28 has a side strip extension 33, bent therefrom along the score line 34, to lie over on top of, and reinforce the end wall 28. The small rectangular tongues 35and 36, form corners in the completed box, where bent on the score lines 3l and 38 respectively. Notches 39 next the tongues 35 and 36 are provided to facilitate the making up of the box at its bottom corners, and thumb notches lla are provided in the strip walls 22 and 23 to indicate the cover half of the box.

Referring now to that part of the blank next to the outer end of the cover side portion I1, we have the narrow wall strip 4.0, adapted to form the top wall of the box. This strip 4U is bent up, in the nished box, along the score line 4|, to be atright-angles to the side portion Il. 'I'he strip 40 has a short longitudinal slot 42 at its center, and this slot 42, has enlarged endsA 43, for the subsequent reception of the handle sides. e

At theouter ends of the wall strips 22 and 23 are the tongues 44, each adapted to be bent on a score line 45. There is also a. diagonal score line 46 provided for a purpose hereinafter stated. Adjoining the side of the top wall strip 46 are those portions of the blank which are to form the handle, the reinforcementand the clasp, illustrated in detail as follows: Next to the top 4wall strip 46 is the clasp portion 41, and the overlap strips 48, on each side of 41, and bent on the score line 49.` 'I'he portion 41 is cut out on the thin line 56. The strips 48 each merge into the handle portion 51, across the score lines 52. The handle portion 5I envelopes the tuck-in ends 53, of the clasp portion 41, which ends 53 are scored at 41a and are adapted to engage the cut slots 54, in the side portion I6. Duplicating the form of the handle portion 5I, and complemental thereto, is the handle portion 55, adapted to be bent over thereonalong the score line 56. Merging with the portion 55 is the longitudinal strip 51. This strip 51 has a central extension 58 adapted to remain in the plane thereof and is outlined by the cut-out line 56, at the ends of which are the short bending lines 66, in line with one another and parallel to the bending lines 49 and 56.

In making up the box from the blank just de- `scribed in detail, part of this work is done at the factory, -and the partly made-up box is shipped to the customer in the ilat form, as shown in Figure 6, which is made up as follows: Starting with a cut-out blank, as `shown in Figure 2, with the blank lying flat, each of the tongues 36 and 44, on each side of the blank is raised and turned over and out, being bent at the respective, diagonal, score lines 32 and 46, to lie over on top of the respective strips I8 and 22, on one side, and on top of the strips I9 and 23, on the opposite side, as these strips remain fiat and extended, so that the tongues 36 and 44 project outward, at rightangles to their adjoining strips; Next, the strips I8 and 22, yon one side, withtheir central tongue 35,y are raised together and are turned over together, with the bend coming on the aligned score lines 26 and 24. 'Ihe strips I8 and 22, with the tongue 35, will now lie flat upon the respective portions I6, I1 and 26, with the tongues 36 and 44 now being reversed in direction, coming iiat in contact with the respective end strips 28 and 46, and then wouldk be pointing inward instead of outward. In a similar way, the strips I9 and 23, on the opposite side of the blank, with the tongue 36, are raised and turned over together, with the bend coming on the aligned score lines 2I and 25.v

'Ihe strips I9 and 23, with the tongue 36,- will then lie at upon the respective portions I6, I1 and 26,with the tongues 36 and 44, integral with the respective strips I9 and 23, lying at in contact with the respective end strips 28 and 46, pointing inward along the strips. After this has been done, the extension strip 33 is bent along the score line 34, to lie at on top of the strip 26. If desired, two spaced fasteners or stitches 6I and 62, maybe used to bind the tongues 36 and 44 between these strips 28 and 33. At the handle end of the portion I1, the handle portion 55 is iirst bent at the score line 56, and turned over to register and lie on top oi' the handle portion 5I, as shown in Figure '1. Next, the two-part strip 48, and the parts 55 and 51, flat against the strip v48, (as shown in Figure 7,) are turned togetherbeing bent on the score line 49-.to have them temporarily flat against the strip 46, so that the two parts of the strip 48 lie fiat over the strip 46, while the parts 5I and 55 vforming the handle 65 are tucked through the slot 42 in the strip or box top 46. 'I'he manner of shaping up the handle 65 and the adjoining parts, having the'clasp member 41 freely extended, is particularly illustrated in Figures '7 to 14 inclusive and described below, but with the box partly made up, .as shown in fiat condition in Figure 6, for shipping. 'I'he handle 65 is for this purpose bent forward to lie beneath the clasp member 41.` Fasteners or stitches 63 and 64 may, if desired, be used approximately where shown, to bind the ends of the portion 51, between the strips 4'8 and 46.

The box inthis partly folded condition (illustrated in Figure 6), may thus be shipped to the customer, who will complete the shaping upof the -box corners in a manner hereinafter described. Of course, if desired, cut-out blanks of cardboard or other sheet and manually bendable material, may be shipped unbent in any part, to the customer, who then would be obliged to do all the bending and folding necessary to make up a complete box, first following the method above described, to advance the bending and folding of the box to the stage of the partially made up box, shown in Figure 6, omitting the fasteners or stitches 6I, 62, 63 vand 64, if he desires, and continuing the making up of the box, proceeding next to complete the forming up of the corner portions.

Considering now the four successive steps, illustrated in Figures 7, 9, 1l and 13, taken in making up the handle. Referring rst to Figures 7 and 8, as illustrating the first of the said four successive steps, starting with the handle parts and adjoining members in the at condition, as shown in the blank, in Figure 2, Figures I and`8 show the parts 46, 41, 48 and-5I flat in the Vsame plane, up tothe score line 56, with the handle portion 55, the strip 51 and the extension 58, all

vbet over, and extending from ,the score line 56,

to lie in an adjoining plane, to have the handle portion 55 next to, -and registering with, the handle portion 5I, completing the iirst of the said four successive steps, above referred to, in connection with the handle.

The second ofv these successive steps is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. For this second step, starting with the parts positioned as shown in Figures 7 and 8, but referring Inow to Figures 9 and 10, the handle portion 5I is bent on the score lines 52, leaving the clasp member 41 freely extending from the line 49 next to the strip 46, with the strips 48 partly bent over on the line 49, and the handle portion 55, bent on the score lines 66, with respect to the strip 51, having' the extension 58 sprung clear ofthe handle portions 5I and 55, thus completing the second step.

In the third step as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the handle 65, formed by the portions 5I and portions of the handle, where they leave the strip 46, iit within the .end enlargements 43, of tlie slot 42. As illustrated in these Figures 13 and 14, the extension 58 of the strip 51 lies across the slot 42, to reinforce the strip 46 at the slot 42. The horns 66, in line with the score lines 52, resulting from the cut-out formation of the clasp member 41, project inwardly and bearv against the top of the reinforcing extension part 58, and are drawn tighter against the part 58, when the handle is pulled tighter in actual use, thus further reinforcing the strip 46, at the slot 42, as the strip 46 becomes the top of the box, in use. .With the handle thus completed and in place for use, I proceed to shape up the box corners. Considering the corners at the end of the strip 40, the strips 22 and 23, are turned up at right-angles to the side portion I1, along the respective bending lines 24 and 25, and the strip 4U, with the handle parts completely formed up, with the handle projecting as shown in Figures 13 and 14, is turned up on the line 4I, to be at right-angles to the side portion I1 and the corners at the ends of the strip 40 are worked into place, one of these corners being shown in Figure 5 to be partly formed, with the rounded outer end of the strip 48, being led over the edge of the tongue 44, upon the bending of the tongue 44 with respect to the strip 23 on the score lines 45 and 46. With the strips 48 and 23 both standing unbent, vand at right-angles to the plane of the iiat side portion I1, these strips 4I! and 23 meet along the line 45, with the extension strip 48 completely overlapping the strip 40, and holding the tongues 44 between them. In a similar way, the other three corners are formed. So far, I have assumed that the portions I6 and I1, with the strip 26, lie at in the same plane. An empty closed box can now be formed by tucking in the rectangular tongues 35 and 36, and next turning up the side portions I6 and I1 part way as shown in Figure 3, to have" the main portions I6 and I1 turn in hinged relation, on the score lines 21, with respect to the strip 26, which eventually becomes the bottom of the box. Inasmuch as the part including the portion I1 and the strips I22, 23 and 40. is to become the cover 61 of the box; the lower projecting short edges 68, of the respective strips I8 and I9, are put into engagement with the notches 39, so that as the box is closed, the strip I8 will come inside the cover strip 22, and the strip I9 will come inside the cover strip 23, and when closing the box completely, the strip 28 will come under the top box strip 48, which is part of the cover 61. After the box is closed the clasp member 41 is brought down over the portion I6, and lthe tongues 53 are tucked into-the short slots 54, the tongues 53. bending at the score lines 41. With the box thus complete and closed, when carried, the weight oi' any 4contents it may hold when lled will come fully upon the top strip 40, reinforced as above referred to at its connection with the handle. With this construction of box, once it is packed, it is simply `closed by bringing down the cover 61 and xing the clasp 41 in place, as above explained. This construction of box avoids the delay experienced with the use of some other boxes, wherein it is required to thread the handle through a slot in the top of the box, where the handle is passed through this part of the cover, instead ,of being part of the box top, as illustrated and above described. Inasmuch as changes in the outlines oi' the handle parts, as well as other changes can -be carrying clothing and other articles, having a.

holding portion and a cover portion integral therewith, in hinged relation, said cover portion being slotted and having in combination therewith a handle portion projecting out through the slot in said cover portion, and a member of the same material, integral with said handle portion, extending across said slot to there reinforce said cover portion.

2. A box made of thin material, adapted for carrying clothing and., other articles, said box being made from a cut-out blank havingintegral therewith, portions forming a holding part to said box, and portions forming a hinged cover part which is hinged to said holding part, complemental handle portions integral with said cover part, adapted to be bent and formed to pass out through a slot in said cover part, to form a handle to the completed box and a strengthening member integrallyconnected with one of said handle portions, and positioned relative thereto to span across said slot and be within and strengthen said cover part.

. 3. A box made from a cut-out blank wherein said blank has integral therewith a Iholding portion, a cover portion, adapted to come inhinged relation to said holding portion, in the completed box, there being a slot in said cover portion,

handle parts integrally connected with said cover portion, including two complemental handle portions positioned to be turned over on one another to register together, and a reinforcing member cut from one of said handle portions, positioned relative thereto an'd to said slot to lie across said slot within said cover portion when said handle projects through said slot in the completed box. .4. A box made in accordance with claim 2, having ,in addition thereto a longitudinal strip merging centrally with said strengthening member, and having extended portions reaching in opposite directions beyond said strengthening member, said extended portions being positioned to be formed within folded-over parts of said cover member, adjacent said handle portion.

5.- A box made in accordance with claim '3,v

having in addition thereto a clasp member partly cut from within that handle portion which is other than the one from which said reiniorcing member is cut in part, clasp-ixing means on said holding portion positioned to engage said clasp member, when said clasp member is bent over outside said holding member while said box is closed. e

CHARLES A. STOPPER. 

